The Monday Muse: Interview with Jennifer Jabaley & Giveaway!

Bookworm:Welcome, Jennifer! To start off, why don't you tell us about how Emily's story came to you?

Jennifer: Here's the true story how I dreamed up the idea for Lipstick Apology: My sister and I are very close. Several years ago she had two children and I had none. She was about to go on her very first vacation without the kids and she was freaking out a little bit. The night before her flight she called me about ten times, each time telling me random information "in case the flight goes down." Yes, she is a bit dramatic like I tend to be. Information about our wills is here...The key to the safety box is here...If you have to sell the house call this person...

When the phone rang for the sixth or seventh time I turned to my husband and said, Can you imagine, the flight would be going down and she would whip out her lipstick and start outlining the kid's schedule and bedtimes on a tray table. My husband laughed and said that would be a great idea for a book. So I grabbed a Post-It note and scribbled "note on a tray table". I stashed that Post-It note in my drawer and didn't see it again until almost a year later when I was packing to move. And that Post-It note became the inspiration for my story.

Bookworm: How cool! From start to finish, how long did it take you to write Lipstick Apology?

Jennifer: It took me about a year to complete my manuscript. I submitted that draft to several agents and based on their suggestions I went back and did another round of revisions before it was accepted for representation. So in total I would say about a year and a half.

Bookworm: Which character from the book was your favorite to write about?

Jennifer: Hands down, Trent. His character was so fun to write because he was so outrageous, so comical and yet so caring and nurturing. Who wouldn't want this kind of guy as a best friend? And hey, he can do hair!

Bookworm: Are you going to continue writing YA novels, and if so, what's next for you, book-wise?

Jennifer: Right now I'm knee deep in writing a women's fiction novel. The main character is in college--at first, I thought maybe it could be YA, but my agent and I both decided it would be better as adult. However I have another YA idea brewing...

Bookworm: If you could write a sequel to the book, what would you have happen in it?

Jennifer: Hmmmm, that's hard to say. I've had a number of emails from early readers and many of them ask what happens next for Emily. I see her moving forward, becoming more comfortable in her new life, her new city. I'd love to see Jolie get married. I'd love to see the friendship between Emily and Lindsey and Carly continue to blossom. And I'd like to see Emily in a relationship.

Bookworm: What YA novels have you read recently and loved?

Jennifer: Two debut authors I've read recently were great, fast, fun reads: Prada and Prejudiceand The Espressologist. I'm reading The Real Real right now by the authors of The Nanny Diaries and it's good. I have Sarah Dessen's Along for the Ride on my nightstand--that comes next. (: